Preparation of Graphene Layers Using Microwave Exfoliation of Fluographite Intercalation Compounds

Abstract

The work reports a study of the processes of multilayer graphene (MLG) preparation using the action of microwave (MW) radiation on polyfluoridedicarbon intercalation compounds with general composition C2F·xR (R is chlorine trifluoride, acetone, acetonitrile, carbon tetrachloride, and benzene). Under the action of MW heating, these intercalation compounds undergo exfoliation (splitting) at temperature values that are 40–55% lower than in the case of traditional convective heating. It is shown that microwave heating increases the exfoliation degree and specific surface area of fluorinated graphite and decreases residual content of fluorine and chlorine in MLG. A key role in the process of MW exfoliation is due to the absorption of MW radiation by the polar dielectric intercalated into the interlayer space of fluorinated graphite.